"Introduction and Objective Human- mediated biological invasions are poorly controlled and degrade ecosystem biodiversity, productivity, and resilience. Aquatic ecosystems receive proportionately more invasive species than terrestrial environments. Non-structural deterrents may limit invasive fish dispersal and range expansion without altering waterflow. Despite extensive research in laboratory and artificial environments, few studies have been conducted in situ and, of those, few have evaluated the full community response of fishes interacting with the deterrent. Materials and Methods We deployed acoustic deterrents within a physical trap-and-sort fishway at Cootes Paradise, Ontario, Canada, to determine the avoidance responses of a community of fishes attempting to disperse into the wetland. To test the effectiveness of an acoustic deterrent, the catch rates of fishes entering Cootes Paradise were compared when the deterrent was off (control) and on (treatment). Results Over 11 500 fishes, representing 12 families, were captured. The acoustic deterrent produced a significant phylogenetic signal in species-specific avoidance responses, but did not alter the Shannon diversity of fishes challenging the fishway. There was a modest decrease in the catch rates of Common Carp (ambient trials =1.03 fish/hour, deterrent trials = 0.84 fish/hour), a species of major management concern. Conclusion and Significance/Implication This is the first study to demonstrate a phylogenetic component to deterrent responses across species. We also identify environmental parameters that alter deterrent efficacy in the field and describe important considerations for the deployment of non- structural deterrents in the field. The development of non-structural deterrents will aid in the conservation of aquatic ecosystems."